Ambitious co-innovation research project to build reusable packaging systems in Finland
The thirty-month co-innovation research project named Reusify aims at accelerating the use of reusable packaging in Finland by offering tools and resources to develop a scalable recycling system.
The challenge
Due to the growing consumption of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and food take-away, the demand for single-use packaging has increased, leading to global waste management challenges. According to Eurostat, between 2009 and 2020, the total quantity of packaging waste generated in the EU rose by 20%, now 80 million tons and 178 kg per EU citizen. Without drastic change, the amount of packaging waste will increase by a further 19% by the year 2030.
The momentum
Reusable packaging and related systems are increasing. Supported by its pioneering role and long traditions in the packaging industry, the Finnish packaging ecosystem is in an opportune moment and well positioned to take a leading role in this rapidly growing market and also position itself as the leader in research of truly circular packaging solutions and circular economy. The technologies and system developed in the Reusify will be commercialized approximately in ten years, generating export of approximately over 1,45 billion to Finland.
The solvers
The Reusify ecosystem covers the value chain of packaging reuse from the production of materials to recirculation. Together with ecosystems 21 company partners and University of Vaasa and VTT (Technical Research Centre of Finland) will develop solutions to packaging reuse with its multidisciplinary research. The research will cover governance of reuse ecosystems, reuse system design from tracing and logistics point of view, packaging solution design and testing, verification of safety aspects, and sustainability scenarios and trade-offs. VTT is responsible for the overall project coordination.
The Reusify project interlinks to Borealis SPIRIT Veturi-program. It also has four parallel projects that examine the critical components of the future value chain for a reusable packaging system in Finland.
The aim
The research project is not just about developing reusable packaging systems. It’s about creating new competence and export potential for a wide range of Finnish industry actors. From packaging raw materials and packaging itself to tracking, machinery, logistics, cleaning, filling, labeling, and software solutions.
